How much do AIO’s cost?

When CPS split six regions into 24 areas, it quadrupled the number of
top administrators—and raised their salaries 11 percent to boot.
District officials say the initiative is “revenue neutral” because
it cut or plans to close 62 central and region office positions to offset
the additional costs. (Among them, 30 from the Office of Schools and Regions
and 11 Drug Free program coordinators.) However, those calculations do
not factor in the salaries and benefits paid to reading coaches, technology
specialists and other support staff who work directly with schools.* Area
offices employ twice as many administrators and office support staff than
did the regions, costing an additional $4.5 million.

Areas vs. Regions

Positions

Total FY04
Salary/Benefits

Positions

Total FY02
Salary/Benefits

Area Instructional Officer

24

$3.4 million
($142,766 each)

Region Education Officers

6

$775,000
($129,167 each)

Management Support Director

24

$2.5 million

Administrators

15

$1.5 million

Business Managers

6

$611,000

Business Managers

6

$580,000

Office Support

30

$1.6 million

Office Support

15

$777,000

Total

84

$8.2 million

Total

42

$3.7 million

*For now, funds to pay expanded support staff come other departments.
For instance, reading coaches are paid out of the Chicago Reading Initiative
budget.

SOURCE: CPS Department of Management and Budget

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About Chicago Reporter

Founded on the heels of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, The Chicago Reporter confronts racial and economic inequality, using the power of investigative journalism. Our mission is national but grounded in Chicago, one of the most segregated cities in the nation and a bellwether for urban policies.